SUV Snatching: Edo Police nabs suspects

The Edo State Police Command has arrested two suspected armed robbers for allegedly snatching a car in Benin, the state capital.

It was learnt that the suspects, Ifakachukwu Michael and Yakubu Suleman, had got to the residence of their victim, Ezekiel Eunice, at about 7am on January 18.

Armed with guns, they allegedly robbed her of a Lexus 330 SUV.

While parading the two suspects, the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Johnson Kokumo, told journalists that Eunice’s jewellery and other valuables were also taken away.

Kukumo noted that the suspects were arrested following an intelligence report, adding that the vehicle had been recovered.

“Two cut-to-size guns, one locally made pistol and one cartridge, including the stolen vehicle were recovered from them (suspects),” the commissioner said.

One of the suspects, Michael, said that he had plans to sell the vehicle, but had yet to get a buyer before they were arrested.

The 37-year-old suspect, who claimed to be a truck driver, stated, “I told one of my friends that I did not have a place to stay. So, he told me to come to his apartment. I slept there with another friend for four days.

“While we were living there, we sighted the woman’s vehicle and always saw her driving in and out. When we went to her house, she came out and we overpowered her and took the car. Now, I regret what I did.”

But the other suspect, Yakubu Suleman, denied having any involvement in the crime.

“I do not know anything about the car. I am a trailer driver. The two men took the car. They only asked me to follow them to Auchi so that they would give me N2,000,” he said.

The commissioner of police said that the suspects would soon be charged to court.